‘Extraction 3’ Is Officially Filming, and We Have a First Look
Netflix has built one of its most reliable action franchises around a single unstoppable mercenary, and fans have spent years hoping his story would continue. After a cliffhanger ending left plenty of loose threads dangling, the wait for a proper follow-up has finally reached its next major milestone.
That wait officially ended this week when cameras started rolling on the newest chapter of the saga. Chris Hemsworth confirmed on social media that ‘Extraction 3‘ has begun filming, sharing a behind-the-scenes photo alongside returning co-star Idris Elba and director Sam Hargrave, captioning the image with a simple message of excitement about the mission beginning.
That confirmation puts to rest months of anticipation since Netflix officially greenlit the project earlier this year. Deadline first reported that Hemsworth had closed his deal to return as black ops mercenary Tyler Rake, with Hargrave back in the director’s chair and Elba and Golshifteh Farahani also confirmed to reprise their roles from the previous film.
Production is now underway across Sydney and the New South Wales South Coast, giving fans their first real confirmation of where this next installment is being shot. That location shift adds a fresh backdrop to a franchise that has taken Tyler Rake through plenty of dangerous corners of the world across its first two entries.
David Weil, known for his work on ‘Citadel’ and ‘Hunters,’ penned the screenplay for this third installment, marking a shift from Joe Russo’s writing duties on the previous two films. Pat Cunnane also contributed an earlier draft of the script, though specific plot details for this next mission remain tightly under wraps.
That secrecy extends to how exactly the story picks up following the ending of ‘Extraction 2,’ which saw Rake and his ally Nik Khan successfully complete their mission to save Ketevan and her children, though not without facing serious consequences in the aftermath. Whatever comes next for Rake, it appears set to build directly on those unresolved stakes.
Angela Russo-Otstot, chief creative officer at AGBO, expressed enthusiasm about continuing the studio’s partnership with Netflix as the ‘Extraction’ universe keeps expanding. She specifically praised the ongoing collaboration with Hargrave and Hemsworth, calling the team behind the franchise a genuine standout for audiences around the world, according to comments shared with Variety.
The franchise itself continues to hold serious weight within Netflix’s original film slate, with both previous entries landing on the platform’s list of most popular English language films. The original ‘Extraction’ broke viewership records upon its 2020 debut, and that momentum has clearly carried through into this next chapter, finally moving into production.
Beyond the core film itself, the ‘Extraction’ universe is expanding well past a single sequel. Netflix is also developing a spin-off series titled ‘Mercenary, An Extraction Series’ starring Omar Sy, alongside a separate South Korean spin-off film featuring Don Lee and Lisa of Blackpink, signaling just how much the streamer is investing in growing this world.
What Are You Most Excited To See In 'Extraction 3'?
With AGBO producing through Anthony and Joe Russo’s banner and Hemsworth also serving as a producer through his own Wild State company, this installment carries plenty of familiar creative backing behind the camera as well. That continuity, paired with the returning cast, suggests fans can expect the same intense, hand-to-hand combat style that made the earlier films such a hit.
With cameras now officially rolling, ‘Extraction 3’ has moved from long-awaited announcement to genuine reality for fans of the franchise. What are you hoping to see from Tyler Rake’s next mission? Share your predictions in the comments.
